Arunachaleswara (Fire)

Annamalai is derived from a combination of two Tamil language words with "Anna" meaning "great" or "powerful" and "malai" meaning hill. Arunachala is derived from the Sanskrit words "Aruna" representing the rays of the Sun and "achala" meaning "unmoving". As Shiva is represented by the form of a large column of fire radiating from the hill, the names of the place came to represent the same.

The deities are described in the Shaiva text of Tevaram from the 7th century CE. Sekkilhar, the author of the Periya Puranam, wrote that Appar and Sambandar worshipped Annamalaiyar in the temple. The present masonry of the temple dates back to the 9th century to the reign of the Cholas. Inscriptions found in the temple record gifts such as land, and cows given to the temple by various Chola kings. Further inscriptions from the temple indicate that before the 9th century CE, the region was under the reign of the Pallava Kings, who ruled from Kanchipuram. The Hoysalas made the region around the temple as their capital in 1328 CE. The temple was located at a strategic location in the Vijayanagara Empire, connecting important pilgrimage centers and military routes. Inscriptions describe the expansion of the temple, and the town developing around the Annamalaiyar temple during the period. There are 48 inscriptions from the Sangama Dynasty (1336–1485 CE), two inscriptions from the Saluva Dynasty, and 55 inscriptions from the Tuluva Dynasty (1491–1570 CE) of the Vijayanagara Empire, describing various gifts to the temple by their respective rulers. Inscriptions from the period of Krishnadevaraya (1509–1529 CE), indicates patronage to the temple.

According to the Shiva Purana, Brahma (god of creation) and Vishnu (god of preservation) had an argument over their supremacy. To settle the debate, Shiva took the form of jyotirlinga, a huge column of fire or light, stretching across the three worlds. Vishnu took the form of a boar and descended to locate the bottom of the column, while Brahma assumed the form of a swan to locate its top. Vishnu failed in his search and returned, honest about the outcome of his quest. Brahma chanced upon a thalampu flower in the midst of his ascent. Upon enquiry, he learned that the flower had been descending from the column for several years. He bade the flower to lie to Vishnu that he had seen the top of the column. The dishonesty of Brahma angered Shiva, causing him to curse Brahma that he would not be worshipped. He also declared that Vishnu would be eternally worshipped for his honesty. Shiva took the form of fire at the Arunachala hill in Tiruvannamalai, and later took the form of a lingam at the base of the hill. According to Hindu mythology, Parvati once blindfolded Shiva, which led to the entire Earth being plunged in darkness. Shiva opened his third eye to shine light on the Earth. Realising her mistake, Parvati prayed for Shiva's forgiveness. Shiva directed her to go to Tiruvannamali and perform tapas at the ashram of sage Gautama. When Mahisasura disturbed her, she took the form of Durga, and killed the asura.

Shiva, also known as Mahadeva and Hara, is one of the principal deities of Hinduism. He is the Supreme Being in Shaivism, one of the major traditions within Hinduism.

Read more about [Shiva](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shiva).

The temple is situated at the foot of the Annamalai hills, spread over 25 acres (10 ha). The walls on the east and west measure 700 ft (210 m) in length, the south 1,479 ft (451 m), and the north 1,590 ft (480 m). It has gopurams (ornamental gateway towers), one on each side. The eastern tower, known as the Rajagopuram, is the tallest, and largest with a base measuring 135 ft (41 m) by 98 ft (30 m). The south tower is called Thirumanchangopuram, the west tower as Pe Gopuram, and the north tower as Ammani Amman gourami. The temple has five precincts, each of which holds a large Nandhi statue. Smaller towers include the Vallala maharaja and Kili gopurams. Brahma Nanneer, the temple tank, is located in the fourth precinct.

The main shrine, holding the lingam of Annamalaiyar, faces east. It is considered the oldest structures within the temple complex, and houses the images of Nandi, Shiva's vahana and Surya, the Sun god. On the backside of the sanctum walls, there is an image of Venugopalaswamy (a form of Krishna, an incarnation of Vishnu). Surrounding the sanctum are images of various Hindu deities, including Somakanthar, Durga, Chandeshvara, Gajalakshmi, Arumugaswami, and Dakshinamurti, Bhairava, Nataraja, and Lingodbhava. The palliyarai, the divine room for resting deities, is located at the first precinct around the sanctum. The shrine of Shiva's consort, Unnamalai ammai, lies in the second precinct, with goddess depicted in a standing posture.

The Arunachalesvara temple is one of the Pancha Bhuta Sthalams, which are five major Shiva temples, each representing a manifestation of a natural elements. The lingam in the shrine is referred to as the Agni Lingam, symbolising the element of fire (Agni) and representing the themes of duty, tapas (penance), self-sacrifice, and spiritual liberation. Sambandar, a 7th-century CE Tamil poet, venerated Annamalaiyar and Unnamulai Amman in ten verses in Tevaram, compiled as the first Tirumurai. Appar, a contemporary of Sambandar, also praised the deity in ten verses in the Tevaram, compiled as the fifth Thirumurai. As the temple is revered in the Tevaram, it is classified as a Paadal Petra Sthalam, one of the 276 temples mentioned in the Tamil Saiva canon. Manikkavacakar, a 9th-century CE Tamil saint and poet, composed the Tiruvempavai at the temple, and described the deities as "Annamalai" and "Unnamulai". Arunagirinathar was a 15th-century CE Tamil poet born in Tiruvannamalai, who composed Tamil hymns glorifying Murugan, the most notable being Thiruppugazh. Aathara Thalams are various Shiva temples considered to correspond to the Tantric chakras of the human body. The Arunachalesvara Temple corresponds to the Manipooraga chakra, associated with the solar plexus (naabhi moolam). The place is also called a Mukthi Thalam (place of salvation), and saints like Ramana Maharishi, Seshadri Swamigal, Gugai Namashivayar, Yogi Ramsuratkumar attained salvation within the temple.

The temple priests perform pujas (rituals) six times on a daily basis. These include the Kaalaippani at 5:30 a.m., Kaalai Vazhipaadu at 8:00 a.m., Nadunchama Vazhipaadu at 10:00 a.m., Maalaipani at 6:00 p.m., Irandaam Kaalai Pani at 8:00 p.m. and Iravuppani at 10:00 p.m. Each ritual comprises four steps: Thirumanchanam (sacred bath), Alangaaram (decoration), Neivedhiyam (food offering) and Theepaarathanai (waving of lamps) for both Annamalaiyar and Unnamulai Amman. The worship is held amidst music with nagaswaram (pipe instrument) and tavil (percussion instrument), religious instructions in the Vedas read by priests and prostration by worshippers in front of the temple mast. Special pujas are performed on Mondays (Soma varam) and Fridays (Sukra varam), and on Pradosha, Amavasya, Purnima, Chaturthi, and Kiruthigai.

The temple celebrates various Hindu festivals throughout the year. Four prime festivals, the Thiruvizha, are celebrated yearly. The most important of these lasts ten days during the Tamil month of Karthigai (November–December), concluding with the celebration of Karthika Deepam.

Located in: Tiruvannamalai, Tamil Nadu.